It is that time of year again to celebrate the scientific discoveries and innovations as reviewed by different organizations and publications. Among this year’s Popular Science top health innovations of 2017 is Philips’ IntelliSite Pathology Solution (PIPS) for collaborative diagnostics. The publication wrote:

“Pathology is a frustratingly analog branch of medicine. Pathologists must slice, stain, and view tissue samples under a microscope. Sending specimens to second-opinion MDs takes days or weeks. Philips IntelliSite Pathology uses a high-resolution scanner to convert prepared specimens into digital images that are as detailed as those under a scope. This allows doctors to quickly send cases to consulting colleagues.”

Pathologists and laboratorians know all too well the amount of effort required to convert wet tissue to glass slides that can be examined microscopically and the issues with being limited to glass slides that may need to be reviewed elsewhere. Popular Science recognized the value proposition for medicine to scan slides for improved collaborative diagnostics using “digital specimens” with PIPS.

Topping the list this year is Novartis’ chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) intravenous infusion therapy, Kymriah (TM) (tisagenlecleucel), for specific indications in acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL). Kymriah is a novel immunocellular therapy and a one-time treatment that uses a patient’s own T cells. It is the therapy based on gene transfer approved by the FDA in August.